I mean you're arguing semantics here. It would never happen because it would set a terrible precedent for the PA. As soon as one guy takes a pay cut teams are going to force it upon lots of guys.

Which is why they can bitch about it and I even understand, but it doesn't stop any one player from doing whatever they think is best for them. The point of most any precedent is that there are outliers.

Cubs most likely gonna go over the last tax tier if they plan on adding a couple relievers...

Might as well get Harper if he wants to come here

Right now they have Chatwood, Cishek, Duensing, Edwards, Kintzler, Montgomery, Strop and Morrow under MLB contract. To add they have to subtract. So this is where trade comes into play or they try to make it work internally. You never know, Chatwood may respond well in a max effort situation where he can simplify his approach and push 2 pitches.

So, i'm wondering if it's worth while for the cubs to abandon Alzolay as a starter this year. His fb/cb easily plays now in a bullpen role. And given they don't have much lefty depth, if you put him in that swing starter role they've used Monty in he could learn to develop his change up with some vets(lester/hamels) and one of the best change up throwers in the league(hendricks).

So, i'm wondering if it's worth while for the cubs to abandon Alzolay as a starter this year. His fb/cb easily plays now in a bullpen role. And given they don't have much lefty depth, if you put him in that swing starter role they've used Monty in he could learn to develop his change up with some vets(lester/hamels) and one of the best change up throwers in the league(hendricks).

Its a matter of principal with me to get a starter developed. There are no pitching jobs to win coming out of spring training without some unforseen deal or injury, we can always expect Morrow to hurt himself tying his shoe. But they need a better answer if Darvish shits the bed again so its probably gonna be smart to keep a starter stretched out in Iowa.

So, i'm wondering if it's worth while for the cubs to abandon Alzolay as a starter this year. His fb/cb easily plays now in a bullpen role. And given they don't have much lefty depth, if you put him in that swing starter role they've used Monty in he could learn to develop his change up with some vets(lester/hamels) and one of the best change up throwers in the league(hendricks).

I mean, at some point the Cubs are going to need to produce their own quality starter from soup to nuts, if for no other reason than to validate their own SP development process.

I mean, at some point the Cubs are going to need to produce their own quality starter from soup to nuts, if for no other reason than to validate their own SP development process.

I mean Shark started in the bullpen and then moved to a starter. It's not like he can't learn while pitching in relief not to mention if he is in that swing type role he's gonna catch some starts. I'm just thinking here how else are you realistically adding talented arms here? Just feel like if he can help this year you can always stretch him back out next year and he'll have the added benefit of experience in the majors in a less pressure situation coming in as a middle reliever.

Far better talents have started in the pen. To think that he is too good to be used as a pen arm is silly.

I can remember a skinny kid brother in LAD's pen. Sale started in the pen.

So this notion seems absurd. Right now there is no opertunity. If Montgomery was starter quality then they would not have signed Darvish then resigned Cole. If Alozay goes into the pen and shows them that he can get major league talent out on a constant basis then maybe he is ready for the next step.

I try to avoid putting minor league talent on a pedestal. I think we has been spoiled somewhat recently.

I mean Shark started in the bullpen and then moved to a starter. It's not like he can't learn while pitching in relief not to mention if he is in that swing type role he's gonna catch some starts. I'm just thinking here how else are you realistically adding talented arms here? Just feel like if he can help this year you can always stretch him back out next year and he'll have the added benefit of experience in the majors in a less pressure situation coming in as a middle reliever.

If Maddon continues doing what he does with the starters, pulling them after 5/6 innings, then yes why not..

Chatwood had a terrible year at 5.16/5.61 ERA/FIP obviously but when you consider the names above... He's probably enough of an improvement to crack their starting 5. And given he's only on a 2 year deal which while shitty for the cubs isn't that expensive, sorta plays well with SD who has Gore and various other prospects like Paddack that need a bit more seasoning. And obviously if you can fix chatwood's command he could be a very nice bargain play.

Anyways, that has me wondering if there is some form of deal where the cubs send Bote and Chatwood plus maybe even something else minor to just clear chatwood for maybe like... a crummy lefty reliever. Obviously the Pads would have to actually want Chatwood but as a cubs fan if they can make that deal even if it's just for cash or a PTBNL type return I think i'm pulling the trigger because I think you could largely get the same type of play out of Trent Giambrone who has a bit more positional flexibility.

Chatwood had a terrible year at 5.16/5.61 ERA/FIP obviously but when you consider the names above... He's probably enough of an improvement to crack their starting 5. And given he's only on a 2 year deal which while shitty for the cubs isn't that expensive, sorta plays well with SD who has Gore and various other prospects like Paddack that need a bit more seasoning. And obviously if you can fix chatwood's command he could be a very nice bargain play.

Anyways, that has me wondering if there is some form of deal where the cubs send Bote and Chatwood plus maybe even something else minor to just clear chatwood for maybe like... a crummy lefty reliever. Obviously the Pads would have to actually want Chatwood but as a cubs fan if they can make that deal even if it's just for cash or a PTBNL type return I think i'm pulling the trigger because I think you could largely get the same type of play out of Trent Giambrone who has a bit more positional flexibility.

I can't see them picking up Chatwood unless the Cubs absorb 3/4 of the deal.

The Cubs will never find a cost relief via Chatwood. He is dead weight right now. He is making 13M per year while walking 1 guy per inning. Teams can find better answers on the waver wire at league min.

To add to this they lack a impact prospect to entice a team to take that payroll.

I mean they're getting Bote as well as potentially a minor piece. If you assume Bote is a 2-3 win player his surplus value is well over the $25.5 mil Chatwood is owed.

They have a pretty good record of picking up fringe cub 3Bmen, and Christian went off to Japan. I am not sure if Bote will ever lead the league in home runs during a season, but we will never know since he wont play enough here. All we know is Bote did more than Christian ever did here.